4 Fun ways to enjoy summer with your man

Jessica Padykula is a freelance writer and editor in Toronto, Canada covering a wide range of topics for several online lifestyle publications. She is a regular contributor for SheKnows, covering travel, style, relationships, health and ...

Loved-up summer fun

It’s summer time and the living is easy. You and your man are looking forward to spending a lot of hot weather time together and we have some great ideas to get your started. Summer is one of the sexiest times of year so what better time to grab your guy and start having some frisky fun in the sun!

Plan an urban getaway

No matter where you live getting away from it all doesn't have to mean going very far. An urban escape in your very own city (or the one closest to where you live) can be just as romantic as a weeklong exotic escape. Book yourselves into a boutique hotel (something small and full of character versus a generic chain) and spend the weekend acting like loved-up tourists. A good place to start is Mr. & Mrs. Smith, a boutique and luxury hotel booking website.

Once you're settled in rediscover your city. Take cheesy photos of each other in front of local landmarks, relax on patios, check out cafes and restaurants you've never been to and explore parks, museums and galleries you haven't had the chance to enjoy up until now.

Get the Frommer's Travel or Lonely Planet guide to whatever city you'll be spending time in (even if you live there) and use that to make the most of your romantic urban escape.

Go camping

We admit, sleeping under the stars isn't for everyone but it can be an incredibly romantic way to spend a weekend this summer. Check out the U.S. National Park Service to search parks by name, location or activity and choose the one best suited to what you're looking for in an outdoor adventure. If you don't have camping equipment, borrow or rent some. Print off this camping checklist for an idea of what you'll need to bring and then get ready for a wild weekend in the wilderness! Aside from cuddling up by the campfire (and roasting marshmallows, of course) there's lots to do, including hiking, swimming, relaxing, and best of all, getting frisky in the tent – or depending on just how frisky you feel -- under the stars.

Rent a cottage

There is nothing more relaxing than spending a weekend (or ideally longer) at a cottage. If you're not lucky enough to own one or have friends who do, take matters into your own hands and rent a cottage for a few days. Getting away with your guy for a chilled out weekend is the perfect way to reconnect and say goodbye to stress. You'll be hard pressed to think about work or looming deadlines when you're sipping merlot on the dock, watching the sun go down. Get starting on your cottage search with a site like HomeAway, which has more than 225,000 vacation homes to choose from. Pack everything you'll need for a weekend of cottage fun:

Board games (for kitschy evening fun)

A deck of cards

Your beverages of choice

iPod and portable speakers (for easy, dockside listening)

Lots of great food for romantic candlelit meals

Hit the beach

Spending the day at the beach is a quintessential summer activity and one of the most fun ways to spend a fab day with your dude. Grab your beach tote – we love this Roxy cooler tote in bright yellow and white stripes ($40) – and fill it with all your beachside essentials. Frisbee (in case you feel like really breaking a sweat), sunscreen (obviously), beach blanket, beach cover up and a few cold beverages or water bottles.

Depending on where you'll be going and if there are picnic tables or grassy spots to spread out post-beach, we suggest packing a late lunch to make the most of your romantic afternoon outdoors. Make up some sandwiches, pasta salad and something sweet (we suggest chocolate brownies) and pack your goodies into a cooler for whenever you get hungry.

Stumped on where to go? Check out this beach guide and browse beaches by state.